21st November 2007
The National Academy for Parenting Practitioners launched today will work directly with parenting practitioners to provide them with the high quality skills and knowledge they need to enable parents to deal with day to day challenges and give their children the best possible start in life.
With the existing expertise of the Family and Parenting Institute, Parenting UK and King’s College London, the Academy is a unique blend of practical knowledge, first class academic practice and regional networks, all funded by the Government.
The Academy’s aim is to improve the quality of support
that is made available to practitioners and, in turn, parents through research,
training and information.
There is a substantial workforce of people in
the UK who offer professional advice and support to parents including through
Sure Start Children’s Centres, schools and voluntary and community organizations.
Hilton Dawson, Chair of the Academy speaking at the launch said; “at the
moment there is a welcome range of parenting initiatives and a dramatic growth
in the level of interest in parenting.
“However, there is also confusion
about what really works, about the consistency and availability of parenting support
across the country. The Academy’s role is to provide a calm voice.”
Angela
Sibson, Chief Executive of the Academy said; “The Academy’s key aim is to improve
the quality of advice and support parents can expect from parenting practitioners.
“If we are to get this right, it is essential that we build our evidence
and knowledge base and share good practice and what works with the parenting workforce.
In driving forward policy and practice we aspire to be an international hub for
the exchange of ideas and learning.”
Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes
said: “Parents can learn a lot from each other about their children, and parenting
programmes make for fascinating television, but for real help that makes a difference,
parents need support from someone who is properly trained. That is why the new
national academy is going to play such an important role.
“Raising a family
is a huge responsibility and it is our job to make sure that support is available
whenever parents need it.”
The launch of the Academy coincides with a
recent YouGov Survey ‘Parenting Services: Parent’s Perspectives’ which reveals
a demand for more quality services, greater awareness and availability of parenting
services.
YouGov surveyed over 5,500 parents with a child or children under
16 during September 2007. They found that 20 per cent of all parents surveyed
felt that there are not enough parenting services in their area.
Waiting
times are also an issue with some parents waiting up to a year.
The recent
YouGov poll, as well as other surveys, also found that parents seek and welcome
information and advice about raising children, especially at times of transition.
Mostly parents get that help from family, friends, and from TV, internet,
books and leaflets.
But when they run into more complicated difficulties,
parents say they want expert help from people they can trust who are qualified
and skilled.
Where to next?
- Where
do you get parenting advice? Share
your experiences in Discuss, Debate and Deliberate - Read other recent
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